On Monday, January 22, several pals texted, “USA Today has used another of your quotes in their ‘Don’t Quote Me’ segment.” It was “If you don’t act as if your name is on the door, it never will be.” Consider this: every interaction your organization has with customers either strengthens or weakens your relationship. Especially […]
Read More...Fripp’s Speaking Habit and a Garth Brooks Experience
Last December, my show partner and fellow Hall of Fame speaker Marilyn Sherman and I had the pleasure of attending a Garth Brooks concert at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace—arguably the finest venue on the Las Vegas Strip. The experience was not just a musical delight; it was a profound lesson in audience engagement, mirroring […]
Read More...Memories of the Amazing Zig Ziglar
After my LinkedIn posts about my Frippicisms™, Rich Ermlick wrote “You have more Zingers than Zig Ziglar.” This brought back two wonderful memories I have not thought about in years. In the early stages of my speaking career, I attended one of Zig’s Richer Life courses in Dallas. At that time, my reputation as a […]
Read More...And Your Question Is?
For sixteen years, the brilliant speaker, author, and consultant Alan Weiss, PhD and I delivered seminars together called The Odd Couple. One technique I learned from Alan, and have continued to use, is the practice of asking, “And your question is?” How often, in the Q&A portion of a presentation, have you felt like pulling […]
Read More...What Makes an Unforgettable Moment from Academy Award Speeches?
Accepting an award is like walking a tightrope. You need to be gracious, grateful, and humble, yet not so humble or self-deprecating that the audience thinks you are trivializing the honor. In general, Academy Award speeches are not the best examples of great acceptance speeches. There are, however, many unforgettable moments. A few of my […]
Read More...Be the Star of Your Own Show: Hollywood’s Advice on Dressing for Success
Do you hold the position, earn the salary, or command the respect you believe you deserve? If not, I encourage you to dress and speak for the role you aspire to, not merely the one you currently have. When I was growing up, my mother gave me great advice. “Patricia, of course, it is the […]
Read More...The Screenplay of Your Life: Time for a Rewrite?
Every story has a “Once Upon a Time.” Part Two. The place where the intricate weave of values, experiences, and influences begins to shape the fabric of our lives. When I was twelve, I knew I was more artistic than academic and enjoyed engaging with, and learning from, adults. It seemed a good idea to […]
Read More...Once Upon a Time Technique
Every story has a “Once Upon a Time.” The place where the intricate weave of values, experiences, and influences begins to shape the fabric of our lives. As a speech coach, I guide my clients to revisit their own “Once Upon a Time,” unraveling the threads of their past to better understand the tapestry of […]
Read More...Develop Your Storytelling Abilities: Life Lessons from Movie Stars and Hollywood
When we reminisce about Hollywood, it’s often the stories that movies tell that captivate us the most. Screenwriting teacher Robert McKee eloquently states, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.” Storytelling: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership Many of us […]
Read More...Make an Emotional Connection the Power of Perspective and Interactivity
To win your audience’s heart and mind, it’s essential to forge an emotional bond right from the beginning of your presentation. However, what does that really mean, and how do you execute it effectively? Case Study: Changing the Point of View During one of my training sessions, Stephen, who has lived with deafness since birth, […]
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